The Game

Surprised (Ben's POV)

The thing about heartbreak is you never see it coming.

I denied and denied my feelings for Sam because I thought I wouldn't be the right guy for her. When I realized I was in love with her, she ends up dating one of my teammates and finally when I think she feels the same, she tells me she doesn't think she is ready to be in a relationship.

I grew up thinking soulmates exist, my parents both met during college and really hit it off. They married 4 months after their first date. Even through the hard times my mother has never once brought up the thought of divorcing my father no matter how far away they are from each other.

I thought maybe that Sam was mine, I still do and that's why I decided I will wait for her no matter how long she needs.

When I got home I kicked off my shoes and scuffled upstairs, I called Ava.

In some ways I'd consider her a closer friend than Cooper. She understood me and didn't make me feel dumb for any of my decisions.

I heard Mary call me down to watch the Christmas special on TV and a couple minutes later, I get up to greet Ava at the door.

"Hey Pierce siblings and Mary." Ava said as she looked at me, Emma and Mary.

Mary gave her a hug and offered to take her coat into the laundry room.

"I brought some cookie mix from home, we can bake cookies." Ava said as she held it up to me.

I laughed as I grabbed it from her, "One could never make too many cookies."

As we started the mixer Ava looks over at me, "Have you confessed your feelings yet?"

I give her a confused look, "How did you know I like her?"

She laughs, "Oh come on I saw the way you were looking at her when she walked into the dance, listen I may have started to like you but I totally see you with Sam and I'd never stand in the way."

I put down the oven mitt and step closer to give Ava a hug, "You know you're one of my best friends right."

She laughs as she hugs me back, "Oh I know, I don't know what you would do without me. I was also wondering if you have any single teammates."

I laugh as I give her a hip bump, "Moving on so quickly, I'm hurt."

She gets a serious expression on her face again, "No but seriously Ben when are you actually going to confess you love her, she won't stay if you just admit you have feelings. She obviously is in love with you and you're obviously in love with her. You need to tell her."

I sigh as I set the timer for the cookies and walk back into the living room, "She kinda already turned me down, I kissed her and she got up and told me she wasn't ready."

Ava gives a little hmm sound as she plops down on the on recliner next to me, "Listen a kiss is a sign of liking someone, but is it love?"

I roll my eyes as I turn on Charlie Brown, "Well no, I guess not. I mean I did get her a bracelet when I was in Nashville, it about drained my account but I thought it was worth it."

Ava does a little smirk, "Oh wow okay so just give her that, where is it can I see it."

I laugh, "Yeah it's up in my room, come on."

As I was showing Ava the bracelet, I hear the doorbell ring. I was about to make my way downstairs until I heard Emma yell that she can get it.

After a couple minutes I hear the door close, "Emma who was it?"

I heard some commotion downstairs, "Oh it was just the girl down the street asking if I can play but I said no because it is Christmas Eve."

I turn back to Ava who was looking out the window while examining the bracelet.